The best coastal pitches in Cornwall

Cornwall has more campsite listings than almost any county in England and yet the genuinely good coastal pitches — where the Atlantic is audible at night and visible at sunrise — are a small fraction of them. Most 'coastal' sites are a mile inland with a sign pointing to a footpath.

These fifteen are the exception.

**Treen, near St Levan (Penwith).** One of the closest legal pitches to the Logan Rock. The headland here is National Trust land and the paths drop directly to Pedn Vounder and Porthcurno. The site is small and simple. Book early — it sells out by February most years.

**Trevedra Farm, Sennen.** A working farm with pitches arranged on the slope above Sennen Cove. Whitesands Bay is visible from the upper pitches. Sennen itself has a good surf school and a pub that does proper chips.

**Secret Garden, Porthtowan.** The name is faintly embarrassing but the site is good. Porthtowan is a reliable left-hander and the site is close enough to walk to the break without driving.

**Trevornick, Holywell Bay.** One of the larger sites on the north coast, which normally disqualifies a place from this list — but Trevornick is well-run and the location at Holywell Bay is exceptional. National Trust dunes, two beaches, and the walk south to Carter's Rocks.

**Treyarnon Bay.** A small NT site sitting directly above the bay. No facilities beyond a tap and a toilet block. Surf is learnable. Gets very busy in school holidays; visit in May or September.

**Mother Ivey's Bay, Padstow.** The setting is genuinely outstanding — a private bay with hard sand and shallow approach suitable for families. Well-managed site with good facilities. Padstow is a twenty-minute drive, which might be a pro or a con depending on your view of Rick Stein-adjacent tourism.

**Polzeath, Tristram site.** Tristram is the camping field above Polzeath beach run by the NT. Basic, grassy, with the kind of view that makes the daily pitch fee feel reasonable. Polzeath breaks well for beginners on a southwest swell.

**Ayr Holiday Park, St Ives.** The site itself is unremarkable but the position — on the headland above Porthmeor, within walking distance of the Tate — means views that cost three times as much at the hotel below.

**Predannack, Lizard.** Quiet, remote, and on the right side of the Lizard. National Trust managed. The coast path from the site east to Kynance Cove and south to Lizard Point is one of the best short walks in Cornwall.

**Kennack Sands.** The eastern side of the Lizard is gentler and less visited than the west. Kennack is a two-beach bay with sites on both sides. Water temperature here is marginally warmer than the north coast.

**Treloan Coastal Holidays, Gerrans.** On the Roseland Peninsula, which is genuinely unspoilt by Cornwall standards. The site is small and owner-run. The coast path section south to St Anthony Head is quiet even in August.

**Tregarton, Gorran.** Below Dodman Point, which is the highest headland on the south Cornish coast. The site takes tents only on part of the field. Walk the headland at dusk.

**Pentewan Sands.** A large site, and listed here with some caveats — it's more resort than campsite. But the beach is good, the facilities are extensive, and it's one of very few places on the south coast where you can pitch within earshot of the water.

**Treveague, Gorran.** A quieter option near Gorran Haven. Basic facilities, good views from the upper pitches across the bay. The village pub is fifteen minutes on foot.

**Bosinver, St Austell.** Inland by a couple of miles — technically disqualified — but included because the management is outstanding and the site genuinely earns its awards. Useful as a base for both coasts. Pitch here if everything closer to the water is full.

Planning note: Cornwall's coastal sites operate short booking windows deliberately. Many open reservations in January and fill within days. If there's a specific place you want, set a reminder rather than checking in April.